Recent Articles From EvanCarmichael.com http://www.evancarmichael.com/ http://www.evancarmichael.com/Human-Resources/773/Surviving-an-Economic-Downturn-How-to-Handle-Layoffs-Effectively.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Human-Resources/773/Surviving-an-Economic-Downturn-How-to-Handle-Layoffs-Effectively.html Sometimes layoffs are the only alternative to ensure your company remains competitive during an economic downturn. When that is the case, it is critical that the layoffs be done in a sensitive and respectful way that also minimizes the impact on your employer brand. In this article, we look at some of the key areas necessary to conduct layoffs effectively. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Human-Resources/773/Surviving-an-Economic-Downturn-Creative-Alternatives-to-Layoffs.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Human-Resources/773/Surviving-an-Economic-Downturn-Creative-Alternatives-to-Layoffs.html It seems that you can't escape the headlines these days about the gloomy economic news. In every media outlet, we read or hear about stock market losses, real estate slowdowns, job losses, bankruptcies and bailouts. These are clearly challenging economic times. One key question for your business is how do you handle the economic slowdown when it comes to your staffing levels? Should you institute a hiring freeze? Can you take advantage of layoffs at your competitors by snatching up strong performers that they've been forced to downsize? Or do you need to layoff employees yourself? In this article, we look at some of the options facing small- and medium-sized businesses when determining how to handle their human resources needs during an economic slowdown. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Human-Resources/773/Improving-Your-Work-Environment-Is-It-Truly-Easy-Being-Green.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Human-Resources/773/Improving-Your-Work-Environment-Is-It-Truly-Easy-Being-Green.html The environment. Being "green". Climate change. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Carbon taxes. David Suzuki. Al Gore. All are at the forefront of almost every media outlet these days. In this article we discuss the "greening" of your HR practices and why it's important for the growth and bottom line of your business. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Human-Resources/773/How-To-Fire-An-Employee-The-Dos-and-Donts-of-Terminating-Employees-to-Keep-You-Out-of-Hot-Water.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Human-Resources/773/How-To-Fire-An-Employee-The-Dos-and-Donts-of-Terminating-Employees-to-Keep-You-Out-of-Hot-Water.html One very common question we get asked is: How do I fire an employee? As a business owner, if you've selected and trained well, set clear expectations, and provided regular ongoing performance coaching and feedback, your need to let go of an employee should be minimal. However, it can and does happen that people just don't fit in with your organization. So what do you do? In this article, we'll discuss the do's and don'ts of firing an employee. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Human-Resources/773/Communicating-Success-Shut-Down-the-Gossip-Factory-and-Get-the-Right-Information-to-the-Right-People.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Human-Resources/773/Communicating-Success-Shut-Down-the-Gossip-Factory-and-Get-the-Right-Information-to-the-Right-People.html Communication is key. If you ask employees to name an area that could be improved in their organization, they will always say there isn't enough communication. You can never communicate enough to employees. But what kind of information do they need? How do you communicate that information in the best way? How do you improve communication to prevent gossip and small problems from transforming into morale-crushing nightmares? In this article, we discuss the importance of effective communication. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Human-Resources/773/Back-to-Basics-HR-Lessons-the-Boss-Needs-to-Know.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Human-Resources/773/Back-to-Basics-HR-Lessons-the-Boss-Needs-to-Know.html Building a happy and productive workforce doesn't have to be rocket science. By maintaining fair policies, providing good feedback and cultivating a respectful and positive work environment, organizations can reap huge rewards. But organizations sometimes forget to cover the basics of proper human resources management. From absenteeism and a demoralized workplace atmosphere to outright sabotage, the consequences to a company of not implementing some basic HR techniques can be devastating. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Human-Resources/773/HR-Lessons-from-the-Canucks-What-Businesses-Can-Learn-From-the-Firing-of-Dave-Nonis.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Human-Resources/773/HR-Lessons-from-the-Canucks-What-Businesses-Can-Learn-From-the-Firing-of-Dave-Nonis.html The firing of Vancouver Canucks General Manager, Dave Nonis, has catapulted the Canucks and its owners into the glaring light of public scrutiny. The media activity and the public response across the city has highlighted some critical lessons for all companies on how to effectively manage employees. For small businesses, in particular, these lessons can be particularly helpful as they compete for talent in this tight labour market. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Human-Resources/773/Managing-Performance-How-To-Conduct-A-Performance-Review-Right.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Human-Resources/773/Managing-Performance-How-To-Conduct-A-Performance-Review-Right.html One of the most common questions we get asked is: "We need to do annual performance reviews. Do you have a performance review form that we could use?" While admirable that the need to conduct a performance review is recognized, the purpose is often lost in the frenzy of filling out forms, setting up meetings with employees, and sitting through awkward, contrived discussions with them about their performance. The performance review is about managing and improving performance. It should be a motivating, inspiring process conducted not just once a year, but on a regular basis. In this article, we'll discuss how to effectively manage performance and provide tips for how and when to conduct a proper performance review. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Human-Resources/773/Clear-Goals-Need-Clear-Roles.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Human-Resources/773/Clear-Goals-Need-Clear-Roles.html Job descriptions evolve over time. But all employees, new or old, need to have a clear understanding of their role in a company and what is expected of them. New hires need a starting point for their position. Long-term employees may need guidance about what their continuing role in a company ought to be. In this article, we discuss the importance of defining job role. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Human-Resources/773/Surviving-the-Economic-Boom-How-to-Keep-Your-Employees.html http://www.evancarmichael.com/Human-Resources/773/Surviving-the-Economic-Boom-How-to-Keep-Your-Employees.html Every day in the news we hear about the economic boom that Western Canada is facing. With this growth comes an interesting human resources side effect: strong competition for employees with not enough people to fill the vacancies that have been created. All employers have been affected, from large corporations to small business owners. In this article, we provide you with some strategies to address an often overlooked, yet critical human resources challenge: keeping the valuable employees that you’ve already got.